A 'Cholera Epidemic' Hits Ruined Mariupol... UK Intelligence Also Issues Warning

On the 22nd of last month (local time), Russian soldiers were conducting mine clearance operations within the Azovstal steel plant premises in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. / Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] There are ongoing concerns that a large-scale cholera outbreak is imminent in Mariupol, a southern Ukrainian port city reduced to ruins by indiscriminate Russian attacks.

On the 10th (local time), the UK Ministry of Defence Intelligence stated on its official Twitter account that "Mariupol is facing the risk of a large-scale cholera outbreak."

The Ministry of Defence Intelligence explained, "Since Ukraine experienced a cholera epidemic in 1995, there have been small-scale outbreaks along the Azov Sea coastal areas, including Mariupol."

It added, "Since May, only single cases of cholera have been reported in Mariupol, but a large-scale outbreak is expected. This will further worsen Mariupol's medical services, which are already close to collapse."

Warnings about the possibility of a cholera epidemic in Mariupol have been increasing recently.

The British daily The Guardian reported on the 6th, citing Ukrainian officials, that Russian forces have begun strengthening quarantine measures in preparation for cholera in Mariupol, and some have started entering isolation.

Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, appeared on Ukrainian TV on the 7th and said that Russia is blockading Mariupol due to concerns about cholera outbreaks, expressing worry that "the residents of Mariupol are vulnerable to infectious diseases such as cholera and dysentery."

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes acute diarrhea and dehydration. It spreads through contaminated water or food and can be fatal if not treated promptly. It typically breaks out in midsummer and lasts until late autumn.

Meanwhile, Mariupol, which fell to Russian forces after 82 days of conflict, has had its water and sewage infrastructure and medical facilities severely damaged by continuous shelling, raising serious concerns that an infectious disease outbreak would be uncontrollable.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.